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News for 08 March 2017

All the news for Wednesday 8 March 2017


HWL R2 Men, Dhaka, Bangladesh - Results March 7, 2017

Pool A MAS - FIJ     11 - 1
Pool B CHN - SRI     5 - 1
Pool B GHA - EGY     1 - 1 (2 - 4)
Pool A BAN - OMA     2 - 3

Country Played Wins Draws Losses GF GA GD WD LD Points

Pool A

MAS 3 3 0 0 20 2 18 0 0 9
OMA 3 2 0 1 11 8 3 0 0 6
BAN 3 1 0 2 7 7 0 0 0 3
FIJ 3 0 0 3 2 23 -21 0 0 0

Pool B

CHN 3 2 0 0 14 6 8 0 1 7
EGY 3 1 0 0 9 5 4 2 0 7
GHA 3 1 0 1 9 12 -3 0 1 4
SRI 3 0 0 3 7 16 -9 0 0 0


FIH Event Page



Quarter-Final line-up revealed in Bangladesh


Action from Oman versus Bangladesh on Tuesday 7 March. (Credit: Bangladesh Hockey Federation)

Malaysia and China finish top of the pools at the Men’s Hockey World League Round 2 in Dhaka

Top ranked Malaysia will lock horns with Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals of the Hockey World League Round 2 event this coming Thursday at the Moulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium following the completion of the pool phase on Tuesday (7 March).

The Malaysians, who sit 13th in the Hero FIH World Rankings, finished top of Pool A thanks to an 11-1 triumph over Fiji. Malaysia proved too strong for the South Pacific islanders with Shahril Sabbah arriving as the wrecker in chief by scoring four goals in the 2nd , 12th , 23rd and 59th minutes. Fitri Saari followed Shahril with three strikes in the 11th, 55th and 58th minutes while Baharom Rashid scored a brace in the 3rd and 22nd minutes. The other two came off the sticks of Aiman Nik Rosemi and Tengku Ahmad.

With three consecutive victories to their name, Malaysia finished the pool phase with a maximum nine points, while Fiji suffered their third defeat in as many matches and will now face China, the winners of Pool B, in the quarter-finals.

China, who suffered a shootout defeat to Egypt on Sunday, returned to winning ways with a 5-1 win over Sri Lanka. Guo Zixiang opened the account for China in the 6th minute with Guo Xiaping doubling the margin six minutes later. Rajith Kulatungha pulled one back for Sri Lanka in the 11th minute but three China goals after half time settled the result with Du Talake, Guo Zixiang and Du Chen all on target.

It could be a topsy-turvy affair when Oman meet Ghana in the third quarter-final. Oman outplayed hosts Bangladesh to record a 3-2 win and secure a second place finish in Pool A, while Ghana finished third in Pool B despite an impressive display against Egypt that resulted in a narrow 4-2 shootout loss.

The Ghanaians held Egypt to a spirited 1-1 draw in normal time, but the shootout win gave the Egyptians a second place finish in Pool B and sets up a meeting with Pool A’s third place finishing Bangladesh.

Like all of the Round 2 events, the competition in Dhaka features a clash between teams that came through the first phase of the competition against sides that were automatically given a bye through to Round 2 due to their higher placement in the FIH Hero World Rankings. The highest ranked teams will enter the competition at the Semi-Final stage of the Hockey World League.

The top two finishers from the men’s Round 2 events in Dhaka, Belfast (11-19 Mar 2017) and Tacarigua, (25 Mar-2 Apr 2017) are certain to qualify for the Semi-Finals, being joined in the World Cup qualifier phase by the two highest ranked of the third placed finishers from those three events. 

You can keep track of the tournament in Dhaka on the official competition pages by clicking here and on FIH’s social media channels using the #HWL2017 hashtag.

FIH site



Malaysia 11 Fiji 1

By Jugjet Singh


MALAYSIA pulverised Fiji 11-1 to complete their Group A fixtures Tuesday to top the group in the World League Round Two hockey match in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

There was never a moment of doubt, as Shahril Saabah scored a first minute field goal and went on to nail three more in the 12th, 23rd and 59th minutes.

The other goals were scored by Rashid Baharom (third, 22nd), Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin (10th), Fitri Shaari (11th, 55th, 58th) and Razie Rahim (17th).

Fiji scored their consolation off Jerome Edwards in the 29th minute.

Malaysia, ranked 13th in the World, played simple hockey with close passes to hammer the part-time hockey players ranked 51st in the world.

The quarter-finals will be held on Thursday, and Malaysia play against Sri Lanka where another win is assured.

Malaysia are the raging favourites to not only play in the final but also to win the gold medal.

The finalists will move on to the World League Semifinals either in London or South Africa which is a qualifier for the 2018 World Cup in India.

RESULTS: Group A: Malaysia 11 Fiji 1, Bangladesh 2 Oman 3; Group B: Ghana 1 Egypt 1 (Egypt win shoot-out 4-2), China 5 Sri Lanka 1.

THURSDAY -- Quarterfinals: Malaysia v Sri Lanka, China v Fiji, Oman v Ghana, Egypt v Bangladesh.

FINAL STANDINGS

GROUP A

            P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts
MALAYSIA    3  3  0  0  20 2  9
OMAN        3  2  0  1  11 8  6
BANGLADESH  3  1  0  2  7  7  3
FIJI        3  0  0  3  2  23 0

GROUP B
            P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts
CHINA       3  2  1  0  14 6  7
EGYPT       3  1  2  0  9  5  7
GHANA       3  1  1  1  9  12 4
SRI LANKA   3  0  0  3  7  16 0

Jugjet's World of Field Hockey



A stroll over Fiji

by S. Ramaguru


Lethal striker: Shahril Saabah opened the scoring for Malaysia in the second minute before going on to score three more in the 11-1 rout of Fiji yesterday.

KUALA LUMPUR: Forward Shahril Saabah starred with a four-goal show in Malaysia’s 11-1 drubbing of Fiji in their final Group A match of the World Hockey League Round Two.

The 22-year-old started the rout with a field goal after only two minutes at the Maulana Bhansani National Hockey Stadium in Dhaka yesterday. He was again on target in the 12th, 23rd and 59th minutes.

Midfielder Fitri Saari chalked up a hat-trick, scoring in the 11th, 55th and 58th minutes while Rashid Baharom added a brace in the third and 22nd minutes. Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin (10th) and Mohamed Razie Rahim (17th) netted one each.

World No.44 Fiji’s consolation goal came through Jerome Edwards in the 29th minute.

All in, Malaysia scored six field goals, four penalty corners and a penalty stroke.

Malaysia topped the four-team group with nine points, having earlier beaten hosts Bangladesh 3-0 and Oman 6-1.

Malaysia will face winless Sri Lanka, the bottom side of Group B, in tomorrow’s quarter-finals.

National coach Stephen van Huizen was pleased with the performance as the players made good use of the chances that came their way.

“It’s pleasing to note that the players are showing improvement in their moves. It was a game that we had the better of our opponents. We used all our players and gave them more time on the pitch.

“Our focus is on the quarter-finals, but I’m glad the players did not let up or take it easy,” said Stephen.

He was also quite satisfied with the penalty corner conversion rate with Malaysia scoring four out of 12 attempts.

Stephen said the execution was a little better compared to the first two matches.

“Of course we would have liked to see more resulting in goals. But overall we had goals from all situations. We are not dependent on just the field goals.

“The important thing is that we are injury-free after three matches. All the players will be available for the last-eight match.

“Sri Lanka may not have won a match but we will not under-estimate them. They can play well and we need to step up and not put undue pressure on ourselves,” said Stephen.

At world No. 13, Malaysia are seeded to win the tournament. In contrast, Sri Lanka are ranked No. 41. Both countries have met 12 times. Malaysia have won 10 and drew one.

The Star of Malaysia



Horler's first ever England goal seals victory


Ed Horler continued his fine scoring run at the HJWC2016

England's men secured a second victory in the Cape Town Summer Series by defeating South Africa 1-0 on Tuesday

Ed Horler got his first ever England goal in the 33rd minute from a penalty corner, and it was enough for Bobby Crutchley's team to pick up a second win in the space of five days.

It was a dogged display, with England enjoying their best spell just after the interval and showing good resilience to maintain their lead in the final stages.

George Pinner was again named captain, and the men's final match of the series comes on Wednesday when they face Germany.

Team: Pinner, Hoare, Creed, C Griffiths, Albery, Weir, Sloan, Gall, Scott, Horler, Carson
Subs used: Gibson, Willars, Sanford, Turner, Ward, Goodfield, Ansell

Crutchley's side are gearing up to the vital World Cup qualifiers in London this summer with the Hockey World League on the Olympic Park

England Hockey Board Media release



Canadian men's roster named for World League Round 2 in Trinidad and Tobago

Shaheed Devji


Canada at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. The Canadian men successfully qualified for Rio through the World League competition (By Yan Huckendubler)

Eighteen men have been named to the Canadian men’s field hockey team that will compete at the International Hockey Federation’s World League Round 2 in Trinidad and Tobago from March 25th to April 2nd.

The eight-team tournament is part of the 2018 World Cup qualification process. The top two finishers of the competition move on to World League Round 3 later this year, where 2018 Men’s World Cup spots will be awarded.

Canada – currently ranked 11th in the world – enters the tournament as the highest ranked team and is grouped in Pool A with Chile (26th), the United States (29th), and Barbados (49th).

Of the 18 players named to the roster and headed to Trinidad, 13 were part of the team that represented Canada at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil last summer. A thirteenth, goalkeeper Antoni Kindler, was a reserve at the Games.

Two members of the touring roster, Balraj Panesar and Brandon Pereira, recently competed at the 2016 Junior World Cup.

After having recently been named to the Men’s National Team, Pereira will be making his senior international debut for Canada.

Panesar joins older brother Sukhi on the roster – the two join brothers Iain and John Smythe as the second set of siblings on the team.

Canada opens the tournament on March 25th against the United States and rounds out pool play with games against Chile and Barbados on March 26th and 28th respectively.

Canada’s full World League 2 schedule and latest results can be found here.

The last time Canada competed at World League Round 2 was in 2015 in San Diego, California, when it moved on to Round 3 after a top three finish. Canada then qualified for the Olympic Games through its placing at World League Round 3.

The Canadian men did not qualify for the 2014 World Cup after placing 3rd at World League Round 2 in France in 2013, and losing in the Pan American Cup final that year to Argentina. The winner of the Pan American Cup this year also earns a spot at the 2018 World Cup. The Pan American Cup will be played from August 4th to 13th in Lancaster, Pensylvannia.

Men's National Team - 2017 World League Round 2

Field Hockey Canada media release



FIH host Home & Away League candidates ahead of evaluation deadline



Home & Away League candidate National Associations descended upon Lausanne, Switzerland at the weekend (3-5 March 2017) for crucial workshops aimed at helping organisations complete their formal applications for the forthcoming global competition due to begin in 2019.

15 National Associations attended three full days of workshops in the Olympic Capital, with the other three Associations who couldn't attend scheduled to undertake webinars over the next few days.

This was an important opportunity to help CEOs and senior executives from each of the candidate Associations to better understand exactly what hockey's governing body is expecting from them both as hosts and participants in this new competition.

Feedback coming in from the weekend has been excellent so far. FIH CEO, Jason McCracken, said: "Last weekend has certainly shown that the sport is getting very excited by the launch of this game-changing Home and Away League. Our National Associations have recognised the long-term benefits this competition can bring to the sport and are determined to be involved. They now have an incredibly important couple of months ahead as they pull together their application documents.”

He continued: "FIH also has an important period ahead in order to plan the logistics and operations of what we are trying to achieve on a global scale. However, playing hockey at home, in front of full stadiums, over a five to six month period every year, and significantly increasing our TV and digital exposure with sponsors and broadcasters, is very compelling. The global Home and Away League is crucial to growing our game and achieving our Hockey Revolution strategy's aim of making hockey a global game that inspires the next generation."

18 National Associations progressed to the candidate stage of the selection process earlier this year. Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa and Spain were all successful with applications for both their men’s and women’s teams. China, Italy and USA were successful with applications for their women’s teams and Malaysia and Pakistan for their men’s teams.

The candidate application stage will see the selected National Associations submit in-depth information based on various aspects of their hosting and participation capabilities. This will include information about financial sustainability, commercial vision, legal compliance, proposed venues, organisation and personnel, event delivery and presentation, marketing strategies, the proposed legacy impact and any added value they can bring to the competition. FIH will also undertake extensive discussions with broadcasters regarding exposure and media coverage of hockey within each of the selected nations.

The deadline for submitting the next application information is 30 April 2017. The final evaluation process will then take place over the following months before the participating teams are officially announced at a launch event in June 2017.

FIH site



FIH seeing Oman as home venue for Pakistan hockey

ISLAMABAD: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is considering Oman to be the home venue for Pakistan to play matches.

In 2019, the schedule of international hockey will be changed with Champions Trophy to be scrapped and home and away matches will be introduced.

Welcoming the move, a spokesman for the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) said: “We are waiting an official confirmation from the FIH in this regard.”

It may be mentioned here that FIH president Dr Narinder Batra said the idea was to have Pakistan’s home matches in Oman.

“Under the present circumstances, the foreign teams are unwilling to tour Pakistan due to the security concerns. So it is better we find a neutral venue for Pakistan, and Oman suits well to that option with its interest and following in hockey.

Eight countries will visit Oman to play Pakistan and India-Pakistan matches will be the highlight of the matches,” he said.

The top two countries after the home-and-away series involving the top eight hockey nations will qualify to the final qualifiers for the Olympics as well as the World Cup.

“The matches will significantly boost hockey in Oman, with top quality matches being played in the country. On the other side, it will enhance the tourism in the country with thousands of foreigners visiting the place during the series probably from January to June of the year,” he said.

The Daily Times



A break fast to rejuvenate for tougher tasks

By Ravi Iyer


Rupinderpal Singh

CHENNAI: A down-time of little more than two weeks has given India drag-flicker Rupinderpal Singh the opportunity to cool his heels and spend time back home. This after a busy last year, culminating with the Hockey India League.

“The last year has been hectic, what with it being an Olympics year as well. But it’s good to be back home and take some time off. Though we couldn’t make the HIL final, we proved once again that we are one of the most consistent teams,” Rupinder told Express on Tuesday. India’s next assignment will be the 26th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup from April 29 to May 6 in Ipoh and Perak, Malaysia. And the camp will begin on the 14th of this month, running till April 23.

“It’s a five-week camp. The Azlan Shah is an important tournament, and one of the most prestigious ones for us. I don’t know who will get the call-up, but what I can say is that we’ll have to work hard to ensure we have a successful event,” Rupinder added.

The defender, a core member of the senior squad, may be taking it easy right now, but not Gurbaj Singh.

The talented midfielder, who has seen his share of controversies, has been working hard in Jalandhar, and hopes to get a call-up to the national team.

“I don’t know if I will get called up, for that is not under my control. But what I can do is put my head down and work hard, and give my best in every match I play, be it the HIL, Malaysian League or a national tournament. It has always been my dream to play for my country and give 110 per cent every time, and I hope to wear the national colours once again,” said the Punjab Police employee.

Having attracted the highest bid for an Indian at the previous HIL auctions, Gurbaj was disappointed that his team, Ranchi Rays, couldn’t go the distance.

“Personally, the HIL was a great experience for me. Though the team failed to make the semifinals, I felt I performed to the levels I had expected of myself before the event started. It was disappointing that we couldn’t make progress as a team. I felt we had a good squad, and we did aim to make the semifinals,” he noted.

The Azlan Shah tourney will also be the first event for India without former strategic coach Roger van Gent, who called time on his association with the national team late last year. And Rupinder said the Dutchman would be missed.

“He was key to our development over the past couple years. Be it attack or defence, he would always explain to us where we could and should improve. No doubt we’ll miss him,” the 26-year-old signed off.

Although it has been widely reported that another Dutchman, Hans Streeder, will take over from Ven Gent, Hockey India is yet to confirm. Nor is it known when he will join the squad during the camp in Bengaluru.

New Indian Express



Maccabi USA Announces the Open Women's Field Hockey Team for the 20th World Maccabiah Games

 PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The Maccabi USA Field Hockey Chairman Tonja Magerman along with Co-Head Coaches Donna Richardson are pleased to announce the Open Women’s Field Hockey Team for the 20th World Maccabiah Games. The Games will take place July 4-18, 2017 in Israel. Maccabi USA will bring a team of 1,100+ athletes who will join the 8,750 Jewish athletes from 80 countries, participating in 43 different sports.

The athletes are Annie Artz of Medford, Mass., Tufts University; Kayla Devlin of Annapolis, Md., University of Delaware ('16); Alexis Esbitt of Hockessin, Del., University of Delaware ('10); Rose Gorski of Glencoe, Ill., Cornell  University; Rachel Gulotta of Metuchen, N.J., The College of New Jersey; Oliva Harris of Danbury, Conn., Bucknell University; Chelsea Kramer of New Vernon, N.J., Dickinson College; Catherine Kurtin of Chestnut Hill, Mass., Yale University; Celia Lewis of Houston, Texas, Tufts University; Catherine Perlmutter of Blue Bell, Pa., Dickinson College; Renee Rosenbum of Audubon, Pa., Slippery Rock University ('16); Briana Rubenstein of Bayport, N.Y., Adelphi University ('16); Camille Scheyer of Glencoe, Ill., Yale University; Meredith Shifman of New York, N.Y., Johns Hopkins University ('06); Taylor Stone of Herndon, Va., University of Louisville; and Yael Yonah of Princeton, N.J., West Windsor Plainsboro South High School.

Since 1932, over 62,000 athletes have participated in the Maccabiah Games, in a celebration of Jewish Strength and Solidarity. Team USA’s success is not only measured by the medals won, but by the impact that the Maccabiah experience had on their lives as well as the friendships they formed.

Maccabi USA builds Jewish pride through sports, generating the emotional intensity, high ideals, and powerful camaraderie of competition.  We connect athletes, volunteers, and supporters with the global Jewish community.  Our athletic, educational, and cultural experiences build Jewish identity, perpetuate Jewish continuity worldwide, and strengthen support for the State of Israel.

For more information, please contact Maccabi USA Program Director Shane Carr at 215-561-6900 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

About the organization:

Maccabi USA (MUSA) is a federally-recognized not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization with an extensive history of enriching Jewish lives through athletic, cultural and educational programs.  The organization is the official sponsor of the United States Team to the World Maccabiah Games, and the Pan American and European Maccabi Games, as well as a sponsor of the JCC Maccabi Games for teens in North America.  As the official Maccabi representative in the U.S., Maccabi USA supports Jewish athletic endeavors, enhanced by cultural and educational activities in the United States, Israel and throughout the Diaspora.

MUSA develops, promotes and supports international, national and regional athletic-based activities and facilities It strives to provide Jewish athletes all over the world the opportunity to share their heritage and customs in competitive athletic settings. MUSA supports programs that embody the Maccabi ideals of Jewish Continuity, Zionism and Excellence in Sport.  Maccabi USA Builds Jewish Pride Through Sports.

Maccabi USA has been selected by the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) as a Multi-Sport Organization (MSO). The nonprofit organization becomes one of 35 MSOs nationwide to be recognized by the USOC for its ability to cultivate a national interest in sport and increase opportunities for participation internationally, nationally and at the grassroots level.

USFHA media release



Indian Bank trophy from March 11

At a time when not many hockey tournaments for men are happening in the city, Indian Bank has come forward to organise a tournament titled the Indian Bank Trophy from March 11 to 16 at the SDAT-Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here.

Twelve teams including Indian Bank, IOB, Southern Railway, ICF, Income Tax, Central Excise, Tamil Nadu Police, Chennai City Police, Sports Authority of India, V. Raja Hockey Academy, AG’s Office and Loyola College will be participating in the tournament to be held in a knock-out format. The tournament carries a prize money of ₹ one lakh with the winner receiving ₹50,000. The second and third place will get ₹30,000 and ₹20,000.
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Speaking to the media here on Monday, Md. Muneer, Technical Director and an international umpire, said the tournament will be held in two halves with 35 minutes each. “If the teams play out a draw, then a shoot-out will determine the winner wherein the attacker will take on the goalkeeper from 23m and finishing the move in eight seconds,” said Muneer.

Mahesh Kumar Jain, Managing Director and CEO of Indian Bank unveiled the Trophy in a glittering ceremony.

The Hindu



Hockey’s ‘Equally Amazing’ story presented at IF Women in Leadership Forum


Hockey has been showcasing our 'Equally Amazing' sport ahead of International Women's Day

Ahead of tomorrow’s International Women’s Day, International Hockey Federation (FIH) Executive Board member Hazel Kennedy today joined the panel discussion 'Translating policies into practice - a framework to inspire change' at the 2nd International Federation Women in Leadership Forum currently underway in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Hockey has a good story to tell. Looking at the pure participation numbers, the sport is played by as many girls and women as by boys and men and gender equality is also being embraced within the organisational structures.

Today, this was also recognised by other panel speakers who highlighted the gender balance at Board level in hockey as exemplary. With seven out of 16 FIH Board Members women, FIH is already surpassing IOC recommendations of having at least 30% of Executive Board Members female.

FIH’s Hazel Kennedy is also Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Zambia and President of the Zambian Hockey Federation. She was elected to the 16 person FIH Executive Board during Congress in November.

Today, Hazel shared her experiences as a female sports leader at national as well as international level with the more than 60 participants from International (IFs) and National Federations (NFs) attending the Forum.

Jointly organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), the event works to bridge gender gap in sport by combining training and mentoring sessions as well as topical debates.

While women’s participation in sport is still a major cause for concern across many sports in many countries, hockey has been making strides in this area for many years. Hazel Kennedy said: “I believe the key is to support women empowerment at national level. If you do not develop female leaders at local and national level, you will not find them in international sport. International Federations can play an important role in supporting national efforts”.

In hockey there is a good example when it comes to the development of top level female coaches who are still in a minority. Through its Hockey Academy’s Women in Elite Coaching Initiative, FIH is working hard to redress the balance and aims to raise the number of female coaches at elite level, especially within the top 12 ranked nations.

Re-live the panel discussion here.

Across the world, the hockey community will join International Women’s Day tomorrow on 8 March and celebrate its bold claim that the sport is ‘Equally Amazing’. Check out #BeBoldForChange.

Tomorrow, FIH will also participate in a roundtable discussion organised by the United Nations (UN) Office in Geneva and the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the UN on the role of sports in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.

FIH site

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